Handheld vacuum device having a hook

ABSTRACT

A handheld vacuum device is presented. That handheld vacuum device comprises a housing, a vacuum-generating system, and a hook. The housing has a handle, while the vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. The hook is coupled to the housing, and has a bent portion that is configured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a handheld vacuum device having anattachment structure, such as a hook, for hanging or suspending thevacuum device from an external structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The present application relates to a handheld vacuum device configuredto generate suction. The suction may be used to capture dust, debris, orother material or objects from a floor or other surface. The handheldvacuum device may be battery-powered, or may have a cord for receivingelectrical power.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the embodiments herein relates to a handheld vacuum devicethat comprises a housing, a vacuum-generating system, a battery, and ahook. In this embodiment, the housing has a handle, and thevacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing, thevacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressurethat creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. Further in thisembodiment, the battery is coupled to a rearward end of the housing, andthe hook extends laterally from the housing and is disposed between thebattery and the handle. In this embodiment, the hook has a base portionand a bent portion that extends from the base portion, wherein the bentportion is configured to engage an external structure for hanging thehandheld vacuum device from the external structure, and wherein the baseportion and the bent portion of the hook form a slot that extends alonga length dimension of the hook, wherein the slot is configured, when theexternal structure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to permit thehandheld vacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a handheld vacuum devicethat comprises a housing, a vacuum-generating system, and a hook. Inthis embodiment, the housing has a handle, while the vacuum-generatingsystem is disposed within the housing, and is configured to generatevacuum pressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. Thehook is coupled to the housing, and has a bent portion that isconfigured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheldvacuum device from the external structure.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a handheld vacuum devicecomprising a housing and a vacuum-generating system. In this embodiment,the housing has: (i) a handle and (ii) a hook mounting region which hasone or more slots and a hole, and which is configured to attach thehousing to a hook which has a flat portion with a hole therethrough andwhich has one or more protruding portions extending from the flat baseportion. The vacuum-generating system is disposed within the housing,and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that creates suction forthe handheld vacuum device. In this embodiment, the one or more slots ofthe hook mounting region are configured to receive the one or moreprotruding portions of the hook, and wherein the hole of the hookmounting region is configured to align with the hole of the flat baseportion of the hook when the one or more slots of the hook mountingregion receives the one or more protruding portions of the hook.

These and other aspects, features, and characteristics of the presentinvention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of therelated elements of structure and the combination of parts and economiesof manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following description of embodiments hereof asillustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings,which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification,further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable aperson skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. Thedrawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a handheld vacuum device having a hook,according to an embodiment hereof.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an example hook which may be attachedto a housing of a handheld vacuum device, according to an embodimenthereof.

FIG. 1C depicts a hook mounting region according to an embodimenthereof.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a handheld vacuum device hung from a rail system,according to an embodiment hereof.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate different types of hooks, according to anembodiment hereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates a handheld vacuum device having a hook, according toan embodiment hereof.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a handheld vacuum device having a hook,according to embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and isnot intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of theinvention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by anyexpressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a handheld vacuum devicethat has an attachment structure, such as a hook, which permits thehandheld vacuum device to be hung from an external structure, such as arafter, joist, a portion of a scissor lift, a step of a ladder, awall-mounted rail system, or any other external structure. In someembodiments, the attachment structure (e.g., hook) may be disposed at arearward end of a housing of the handheld vacuum device. For instance,the attachment structure may be coupled to the rearward end of thehousing, and/or may protrude or extend from the rearward end of thehousing. In some implementations, the attachment structure may bedisposed at another location. The attachment structure may include ahook, e.g., a rail hook that is configured to fit around a rail, arafter hook, a belt clip hook, or any other type of hook. In someimplementations, the attachment structure may be rotatably attached tothe housing. In such implementations, the attachment structure may bepivotable between a folded position and an unfolded position.

FIG. 1A depicts an example handheld vacuum device 100 (also referred toas a hand-holdable vacuum device) with an attachment structureconfigured as a hook 130 that permits the handheld vacuum device 100 tobe suspended or otherwise hung from an external structure (e.g., arafter, joist, or drop ceiling grid of a building, a step of a ladder, awall-mounted rail system, etc.). More particularly, the handheld vacuumdevice 100 includes a housing 110, a vacuum-generating system 120, andthe hook 130. The housing 110 may hold or contain various components ofthe vacuum device 100, including components of the vacuum-generatingsystem 120, which may generate suction for the handheld vacuum device100 for sucking or otherwise capturing dust, debris, or other materialor objects into the handheld vacuum device 100. For example, thevacuum-generating system 120 may include a fan and a motor. The motormay be configured, when activated, to rotate the fan, wherein therotating fan may cause air flow that creates vacuum pressure andsuction. In some implementations, the vacuum-generating system 120 mayinclude an air filter and/or a pre-filter that are configured to filterdust, debris, or other material carried by the air flow, so as to trapsuch material within the housing 110. In some instances, the handheldvacuum device 100 may include a battery 140 that is configured toprovide electrical power to activate the fan. In such instances, thehandheld vacuum device 100 may be a cordless vacuum. In some instances,the handheld vacuum device 100 may include an electrical cord forproviding the electrical power to activate the fan. In such instances,the vacuum device 100 may lack a battery. In one example, the handheldvacuum device 100 may be or may include features of, e.g., theCraftsman® V20 vacuum.

In an embodiment, a housing 110 may form or otherwise have a handle 112that is configured to be gripped by a user's hand. The handle 112 maythus configure the vacuum device 100 as a handheld device. Asillustrated in FIG. 1A, the housing 110 of the handheld vacuum device100 may have a frontward end 111, a rearward end 119, a top side 114, abottom side 115, and multiple side surfaces or lateral sides 117, 118,which may also be referred to more simply as multiple sides (e.g.,leftward side and rightward side). The frontward end 111 and rearwardend 119 may be opposite ends of the housing 110, while the top side 114and the bottom side 115 may also be opposite sides of the housing 110.Further, the lateral sides 117, 118 may be opposite sides of the housing110. In an embodiment, the top side 114 of the housing 110 may be an endthereof at which the handle 112 is disposed or from which the handle 112protrudes. In an embodiment, the frontward end 111 may be, e.g., an endof the housing 110 through which air enters the housing 110 to createsuction for the handheld vacuum device 100. More particularly, thefrontward end 111 may be an end of the housing 110 that is generallypointed away from a user who is holding the vacuum device 100. In someimplementations, the handheld vacuum device 110 may include a crevicetool 150 that is removably disposed at the frontward end 111 of thehousing 110, and the air flow used to generate suction may enter thehousing 110 through an opening in the crevice tool 150. In someinstances, if the handheld vacuum device 100 includes the battery 140,the battery 140 may be mounted on or otherwise attached to the rearwardend 119 of the housing 110. In the example of FIG. 1A, part of thehousing 110 may include or may be formed by a dust bowl 113, which maybe configured to store the dust or debris sucked into the handheldvacuum device 100.

In an embodiment, the hook 130 (also referred to as a hang hook) of thehandheld vacuum device 100 may protrude from or may be coupled to a sidesurface of the housing 110, such as the side surface 118. As discussedbelow in more detail, the hook 130 may have a bent portion that isconfigured to catch on, press against, or otherwise engage an externalstructure so as to permit the handheld vacuum device 100 to be hung fromthe external structure via the hook 130. In the example of FIG. 1A, thehook 130 may be a rail hook, which is discussed below in more detail. Inother examples, the handheld vacuum device 100 may include a hook thatis a rafter hook, a belt clip hook, or some other type of hook, asdiscussed below in more detail.

In an embodiment, the hook 130 may extend laterally from the sidesurface 118 of the housing 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. Morespecifically, extending laterally may involve extending in a directionwhich is perpendicular to a front-rear axis 116 of the housing110/vacuum device 100, wherein the front-rear axis may be an imaginaryaxis running between the frontward end 111 and the rearward end 119.

In an embodiment, the hook 130 may be disposed at the rearward end 119of the housing 110 of the handheld vacuum device 100. In a more specificexample, the hook 130 may be disposed between the battery 140 and thehandle 112, as illustrated in FIG. 1A. In some instances, the handle 112may be disposed between the hook 130 and the frontward end 111 of thehousing 110. In the above examples, the rearward placement of the hook130 may contribute to stability of the handheld vacuum device 100 whenthe device 100 is hung via the hook 130, especially if a center-of-mass(CoM) of the handheld vacuum device 100 is located closer to therearward end 119 of the housing 110 than it is to the frontward end 111,e.g., due to the placement of the vacuum-generating system 120 and/orthe battery 140 at or near the rearward end 119 of the housing 110. Morespecifically, when the handheld vacuum device 100 is hung from aparticular hanging location provided by an external structure, gravitymay cause the handheld vacuum device 100 to swing relative to thehanging location, which may act as a pivot for the swinging motion. Bypositioning the hook 130 at or near the rearward end 119 of the housing110, the hanging location may be positioned near the CoM of the handheldvacuum device 100, which may reduce an amount of swinging motion causedby gravity. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the hook 130 is coupled to(also referred to as being attached to) the side surface 118 of thehousing 110, and more specifically protrudes from the side surface 118of the housing 110. The hook 130 may, e.g., open toward the frontwardend 111 of the housing 110. In another embodiment, the hook 130 mayprotrude from or is otherwise disposed at the top side 114 or bottomside 115 of the housing 110. In some implementations, the hook 130 maybe disposed at the frontward end 111 instead of the rearward end 119 ofthe housing 110.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the hook 130 may include abase portion 133 and a bent portion 134. For example, the hook 130 maybe a metal hook, such that the base portion 133 and the bent portion 134may be formed of metal, e.g., metal plate. The base portion 133 may be aportion through which the hook 130 is attached to the housing 110 of thehandheld vacuum device 100. For instance, the base portion 133 may bepressed against and may make contact with the housing 110 when the hook130 is attached to the housing 110. In some cases, the base portion 133may be a flat or straight portion. The bent portion 134 of the hook 130may be configured to engage an external structure, such as the rafter,joist, or drop ceiling grid discussed above, so as to permit thehandheld vacuum 100 to be hung from the external structure via the hook130. In some implementations, the bent portion 134 may include anoverhang portion 136 for pressing against, catching, or otherwiseengaging the external structure. The bent portion 134 may furtherinclude an intermediate portion 135 which connects the base portion 133and the overhang portion 136. More specifically, the bent portion 134may include one or more bends, including a bend which causes theintermediate portion 135 to become unaligned with the base portion 133and to extend away from the base portion 133. The bent portion 134 maybend further to lead to the overhang portion 136. More specifically, thebent portion 134 may bend in a manner that causes a surface of theoverhang portion 136 to face a surface of the base portion 133. In someimplementations, the overhang portion 136 may be parallel with orotherwise aligned with the base portion 133. The one or more bends inthe bent portion 134 may create a gap 135A (also referred to as anopening) between the base portion 133 and the overhang portion 136. Thegap 135A may have a width W, which may refer to a distance between thebase portion 133 and the overhang portion 136. If the gap 135A forms aslot, which is discussed below, the width W may refer to a width of theslot.

In an embodiment, the housing 110 of the handheld vacuum device 100 mayhave a hook mounting region 118A on the side surface 118 of the housing110. The hook mounting region 118A may be used to attach the hook 130 tothe housing 110, as illustrated in FIG. 1C. More particularly, the hookmounting region 118A may include a surface (e.g., flat surface) whichmay be pressed against the base portion 133 of the hook 130 when thehook 130 is fastened or otherwise attached to the housing 110. In theembodiment of FIGS. 1B and 1C, the hook 130 may have a hole 133Aextending through the base portion 133, while the hook mounting region118A may have a hole 118D. When the hook 130 is attached to the housing110, the hole 133A in the base portion 133 of the hook 130 may bealigned with the hole 118D in the hook mounting region 118A, so as toallow a fastener (e.g., screw) 160 to be inserted through the two holesto attach the hook 130 to the housing 110. The hook mounting region 118Amay be disposed at or near the rearward end 119 of the housing 110, thefrontward end 111 of the housing 110, or at any other location.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1B and 1C, the hook 130 may form one or moreprotruding portions 131, 132 which protrude from the base portion 133.The one or more protruding portions 131, 132 may be, e.g., perpendicularto the base portion 133 and may extend in a direction opposite to thatof the bent portion 134. In this embodiment, the hook mounting region118A may form one or more slots 118B, 118C that are configured toreceive the one or more protruding portions 131, 132 of the hook 130. Inother words, the one or more protruding portions 131, 132 may beinsertable into the one or more slots 118B, 118C of the hook mountingregion 118A, so as to create a tighter fit between the hook 130 and thehousing 110 when the hook 130 is attached thereto. In an embodiment, thehole 133A in the base portion 133 of the hook 130 may be configured tobe aligned with the hole 118D of the hook mounting region 118A when theslots 118C, 118D of the hook mounting region 118A receive the protrudingportions 131, 132 of the hook 130. In an embodiment, the overhangportion 136 may have an opening 136A through which the hole 133A of thebase portion 133 and the fastener 160 would be accessible, such as to ascrewdriver or other tool. For example, the hook 130 may an accessorypiece that may be obtained by a user and attached to the housing 110 viathe fastener 160.

In an embodiment, as stated above, the hook 130 may be a rail hook. Arail hook may be a hook that is configured to engage an externalstructure that has the form of a rail, so as to permit the handheldvacuum 100 to be hung from the rail. More specifically, the gap 135Abetween the base portion 133 and the overhang portion 136 may form aslot that extends along a length dimension, or more specifically adimension that is along a longitudinal axis 137, of the hook 130 of FIG.1B. If the hook 130 is disposed at the rearward end 119 of the housing110, then the slot may, e.g., open toward the frontward end 111 of thehousing 110. When the external structure forms a rail, the slot may beconfigured to fit around the rail to permit the handheld vacuum device100 to be hung from the rail via the hook 130. For example, FIGS. 2A and2B illustrate an external structure that is a rail system 500. The railsystem 500, such as the VersaTrack® Composite Multipurpose Storage RailSystem, may be attachable to a wall or other building structure, and mayinclude one or more rails 501, 502, 503 that each extend along alongitudinal axis parallel to the wall. Each rail of the one or morerails may include a protruding structure. For instance, the rail 501 mayhave a protruding structure 501A. Rail systems are discussed in moredetail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/679,705, entitled “WallHanging System,” the entire content of which is incorporated byreference herein. In the example of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the hook 130 may beconfigured to engage the protruding structure of the rail 501 when thehandheld vacuum device 100 is hung from the external structure via thehook 130. For instance, the gap 133A in FIG. 1C between the base portion133 and the overhang portion 136 may form a slot that fits around theprotruding structure of the rail 501, as illustrated in FIG. 2B. Theslot of the hook 130 may thus engage the rail 501, to permit thehandheld vacuum device 100 to be hung from the rail 501 via the hook130. In an embodiment, the slot of the hook 130 may open toward thefrontward end 111 of the housing 110 of the handheld vacuum device 110,as depicted in FIG. 2B. Such an embodiment may occur when, e.g., thehook 130 that forms the slot is disposed at the rearward end 119 of thehousing 110. In an embodiment, the slot may be configured for storage ofa crevice tool (e.g., 150), which may be disposed at the frontward end111 of the housing 110. In such an embodiment, the slot may have a widthW which is substantially the same as a width of the crevice tool, suchthat the crevice tool 150 is insertable into the slot. In such anembodiment, the hook 130 may provide a space for storing the crevicetool 150. In an embodiment, the hook 130 or any other hook may begenerally C-shaped.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate other types of hooks 330, 430, 530 that may beconfigured to be attached to a housing of a handheld vacuum device. Insome instances, the hooks 330, 430, 530 may replace or supplement thehook 130 of FIGS. 1A-1C. Each of the hooks 330, 430, 530 may include arespective base portion 333, 433, 533 and a respective bent portion 334,434, 534. The bent portions 334-534 may each include one or more bends,and may include an intermediate portion 335, 435, 535 that connects thebase portion 333, 433, 533 with an overhang portion 336, 436, 536. Forexample, the base portions 333-533 may be formed from a straight rod orpair of straight rods, while the bent portions 334-534 may formrespective overhang portions 336-536 that are configured to catch, pressagainst, or otherwise engage an external structure so as to allow ahandheld vacuum device to be hung from the external structure via therespective hooks 330-530. Additionally, the hooks 330, 430, 530 may formrespective gaps 335A, 435A, 535A of size or width W between theirrespective base portions 333, 433, 533 and overhang portions 336, 436,536.

In some implementations, a hook of the embodiments herein may include arail hook, as discussed above. In an embodiment, a hook of theembodiments herein may include a rafter hook, such as hook 430, whichmay be a hook that is configured to engage an external structure that isor that includes a rafter or joist. In some instances, the rafter hookmay have a gap with a size or width W that is greater than 1.5 inches(e.g., a size W of 2 inches).

In some implementations, a hook of the embodiments herein, such as hook430/530, may be rotatably connected to a housing (e.g., 110) of ahandheld vacuum device, such that the hook is pivotable betweendifferent positions. For instance, the hook 430 may be rotatablyconnected to the housing via protruding portions 431, 432, which maylaterally protrude or extend from the base portion 433 of the hook 430.The protruding portions 431, 432 may form an axle which renders the hook430 pivotable between a folded position and an unfolded position. Whenthe hook 430 is in the folded position, it may be, e.g., a base portion(e.g., 433) that is parallel with an immediately adjacent surface of thehousing. The rotatable coupling of the hook 430 may allow it to beflipped out to an unfolded position. When the hook 430 is in theunfolded position, the handheld vacuum may be hangable from an externalstructure (e.g., a rafter) via the hook 430.

In some implementations, a hook of the embodiments herein, such as hook330, may form a belt clip. More particularly, FIG. 4 depicts a handheldvacuum device 300 that includes the hook 330. Such a hook 330 may bereferred to as a belt clip hook, and may be configured, when used tohang the handheld vacuum device 300 from a belt, to press against thebelt. More particularly, the hook 330 has the base portion 333 and thebent portion 334. In an embodiment, the bent portion 334 extends outwardfrom the base portion 333 of the hook and outward from a housing 310 ofthe handheld vacuum device 300, and may bend back towards the housing.In this manner, the bent portion 334 may be configured such that theoverhang portion 336 is biased towards the housing 310. In such aconfiguration, the bent portion 334 may act as or be formed as a springor spring clip that is biased to a closed portion, in which a size W ofthe gap 335 is reduced. More particularly, when the bent portion 334 isin the closed or biased position, the overhang portion 336 may exert aforce against any object that it abuts, including an object such as abelt positioned between the housing 310 and the overhang portion 336 ofthe bent portion 334. Thus, the spring clip that is formed by the bentportion 334 may push the belt against the housing 310, such that thehook 330 and the housing 310 form a clamp around the belt. In anembodiment, the hook 330, when configured as a belt clip hook, may havea gap with a size W that is less than 0.5 inches.

In some implementations, a hook in accordance with embodiments hereofmay be configured to be hung from other types of external structures,such as a portion of a scissor lift, a drop ceiling grid, a step or atop platform of a folding ladder, or any other type of externalstructure. In an embodiment, if the hook forms a gap (e.g., between abase portion and an overhang portion) of size W, the size W may have avariety of values that accommodate suspension from a variety of externalstructures. For instance, a drop ceiling grid may be an externalstructure having channels that are about 0.5 inches in width or about 1inch in width. In such an example, the hook may have a gap with a size Wthat is slightly larger than 0.5 inches (e.g., 9/16 inches) or slightlylarger than 1 inch.

As discussed above, a hook of the embodiments herein may be disposed ata variety of locations of a handheld vacuum. For example, the hook maybe disposed at a rearward end of a housing, as discussed above withrespect to FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 5A provides another example of a handheldvacuum device 500A which has the housing 110 of FIGS. 1A-1C and a hook630. In the embodiment of FIG. 5A, the hook 630 may be disposed at arearward end 119 of the housing 510 of the vacuum device 500A. Moreparticularly, the hook 630 may be disposed both at the rearward end 119and a bottom side 115 of the housing. FIG. 5B depicts a handheld vacuumdevice 500B which also has the housing 110 and the hook 630. In theembodiment of FIG. 5B, the hook 630 may be directly coupled to,protruding from, or otherwise disposed at a top side 114 of the housing110. More specifically, the hook 630 may protrude from a handle 112 ofthe housing 110. In other embodiments, a vacuum-holdable vacuum devicemay have a hook which is located at any other location on a housing ofthe vacuum device.

Additional discussion of various embodiments

Embodiment 1 relates to a handheld vacuum device that comprises ahousing, a vacuum-generating system, a battery, and a hook. In thisembodiment, the housing has a handle, while the vacuum-generating systemis disposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuumpressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. Further inthis embodiment, the battery is coupled to a rearward end of thehousing. The hook extends laterally from the housing and is disposedbetween the battery and the handle. In this embodiment, the hook has abase portion and a bent portion that extends from the base portion,wherein the bent portion is configured to engage an external structurefor hanging the handheld vacuum device from the external structure, andwherein the base portion and the bent portion of the hook form a slotthat extends along a length dimension of the hook, wherein the slot isconfigured, when the external structure forms a rail, to fit around therail to permit the handheld vacuum device to be hung from the rail viathe hook.

Embodiment 2 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 1.Further in this embodiment, the slot formed by the base portion and thebent portion of the hook opens toward a frontward end of the housing ofthe handheld vacuum device.

Embodiment 3 relates to a handheld vacuum device that comprises ahousing, a vacuum-generating system, and a hook. The housing has ahandle, while the vacuum-generating system is disposed within thehousing, and is configured to generate vacuum pressure that createssuction for the handheld vacuum device. Further in this embodiment, thehook is coupled to the housing, and has a bent portion that isconfigured to engage an external structure for hanging the handheldvacuum device from the external structure.

Embodiment 4 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 3.Further in this embodiment, the hook is disposed at a rearward end ofthe housing.

Embodiment 5 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 3 or 4.Further in this embodiment, the housing has a frontward end throughwhich air enters the housing to create the suction for the handheldvacuum device, and wherein a rearward end and the frontward end areopposite ends of the housing.

Embodiment 6 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 4 or 5.Further in this embodiment, the device further comprises a batterycoupled to the rearward end of the housing, wherein the hook is disposedbetween the battery and the handle.

Embodiment 7 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one ofembodiments 3-6. Further in this embodiment, the handle is disposedbetween the hook and a frontward end of the housing.

Embodiment 8 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one ofembodiments 3-7. Further in this embodiment, the hook extends laterallyfrom the housing.

Embodiment 9 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one ofembodiments 3-8. Further in this embodiment, the hook includes a baseportion from which the bent portion extends, wherein the base portionand the bent portion form a slot that extends along a length dimensionof the hook, and wherein the slot is configured, when the externalstructure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to cause the handheldvacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook.

Embodiment 10 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 9.Further in this embodiment, the slot formed by the base portion and thebent portion of the hook is C-shaped and opens toward a frontward end ofthe housing of the handheld vacuum device.

Embodiment 11 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 9 or 10.Further in this embodiment, the hook includes a flat base portion havinga hole through which a fastener is inserted to fasten the hook to thehousing.

Embodiment 12 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 11.Further in this embodiment, the bent portion includes an overhangportion configured to press against the external structure when thehandheld vacuum device is hung from the external structure via the hook,and wherein the slot is formed by a gap between the flat base portionand the overhang portion.

Embodiment 13 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 12.Further in this embodiment, the overhang portion has an opening throughwhich the hole of the flat base portion and the fastener are accessible.

Embodiment 14 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one ofembodiments 9-13. Further in this embodiment, the device furthercomprises a crevice tool that forms or is coupled to a frontward end ofthe housing, and wherein the slot has a width which is substantially thesame as a width of the crevice tool, such that the crevice tool isinsertable into the slot.

Embodiment 15 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one ofembodiments 3-14. Further in this embodiment, the hook forms a belt clipthat is configured, when the handheld vacuum device is hung from a belt,to press against the belt.

Embodiment 16 includes the handheld vacuum device of embodiment 15.Further in this embodiment, the hook includes a base portion that iscoupled to the housing, and includes a bent portion that extends fromthe base portion and bends back towards the housing, wherein the bentportion forms a spring clip that is biased, when the belt is positionedbetween the belt clip and the housing, to push the belt against thevacuum housing.

Embodiment 17 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one ofembodiments 3-16. Further in this embodiment, the hook is rotatablyconnected to the housing such that the hook is pivotable between afolded position in which the hook is folded against the housing and anunfolded position in which the hook is unfolded from the housing,wherein the handheld vacuum device is hangable via the hook when thehook is in the unfolded position.

Embodiment 18 includes the handheld vacuum device of any one ofembodiments 3-17. Further in this embodiment, the vacuum-generatingsystem includes a fan and a motor, wherein the fan is configured, whenrotating, to cause air flow that creates the vacuum pressure, andwherein the motor is configured, when activated, to cause rotation ofthe fan.

Embodiment 19 relates to a handheld vacuum device comprising a housingand a vacuum-generating system. The housing has: (i) a handle and (ii) ahook mounting region which has one or more slots and a hole, and whichis configured to attach the housing to a hook which has a flat portionwith a hole therethrough and which has one or more protruding portionsextending from the flat base portion. The vacuum-generating system isdisposed within the housing, and is configured to generate vacuumpressure that creates suction for the handheld vacuum device. In thisembodiment, the one or more slots of the hook mounting region areconfigured to receive the one or more protruding portions of the hook,and wherein the hole of the hook mounting region is configured to alignwith the hole of the flat base portion of the hook when the one or moreslots of the hook mounting region receives the one or more protrudingportions of the hook.

Embodiment 20 includes the handheld vacuum device of claim 19. Furtherin this embodiment, the hook mounting region is disposed at a rearwardend of the housing.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented only as illustrations andexamples of the present invention, and not by way of limitation. It willbe apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changesin form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appendedclaims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that eachfeature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference citedherein, can be used in combination with the features of any otherembodiment.

1. A handheld vacuum device, comprising: a housing having a handle; avacuum-generating system disposed within the housing, thevacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressurethat creates suction for the handheld vacuum device; a battery coupledto a rearward end of the housing; and a hook that extends laterally fromthe housing and is disposed between the battery and the handle, whereinthe hook has a base portion and a bent portion that extends from thebase portion, wherein the bent portion is configured to engage anexternal structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device from theexternal structure, and wherein the base portion and the bent portion ofthe hook form a slot that extends along a length dimension of the hook,wherein the slot is configured, when the external structure forms arail, to fit around the rail to permit the handheld vacuum device to behung from the rail via the hook.
 2. The handheld vacuum device of claim1, wherein the slot formed by the base portion and the bent portion ofthe hook opens toward a frontward end of the housing of the handheldvacuum device.
 3. A handheld vacuum device, comprising: a housing havinga handle; a vacuum-generating system disposed within the housing, thevacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressurethat creates suction for the handheld vacuum device; a battery coupledto a rearward end of the housing; and a hook coupled to the housing tobe disposed between the battery and the handle and to extend laterallyfrom the housing, the hook having a bent portion that is configured toengage an external structure for hanging the handheld vacuum device fromthe external structure.
 4. The handheld vacuum device of claim 3,wherein the hook is disposed at a rearward end of the housing.
 5. Thehandheld vacuum device of claim 4, wherein the housing has a frontwardend through which air enters the housing to create the suction for thehandheld vacuum device, and wherein the rearward end and the frontwardend are opposite ends of the housing.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The handheldvacuum device of claim 4, wherein the handle is disposed between thehook and a frontward end of the housing.
 8. The handheld vacuum deviceof claim 3, wherein the hook extends laterally from the housing.
 9. Thehandheld vacuum device of claim 3, wherein the hook includes a baseportion from which the bent portion extends, wherein the base portionand the bent portion form a slot that extends along a length dimensionof the hook, and wherein the slot is configured, when the externalstructure forms a rail, to fit around the rail to cause the handheldvacuum device to be hung from the rail via the hook.
 10. The handheldvacuum device of claim 9, wherein the slot formed by the base portionand the bent portion of the hook is C-shaped and opens toward afrontward end of the housing of the handheld vacuum device.
 11. Thehandheld vacuum device of claim 9, wherein the hook includes a flat baseportion having a hole through which a fastener is inserted to fasten thehook to the housing.
 12. The handheld vacuum device of claim 11, whereinthe bent portion includes an overhang portion configured to pressagainst the external structure when the handheld vacuum device is hungfrom the external structure via the hook, and wherein the slot is formedby a gap between the flat base portion and the overhang portion.
 13. Thehandheld vacuum device of claim 12, wherein the overhang portion has anopening through which the hole of the flat base portion and the fastenerare accessible.
 14. The handheld vacuum device of claim 9, furthercomprising a crevice tool that forms or is coupled to a frontward end ofthe housing, and wherein the slot has a width which is substantially thesame as a width of the crevice tool, such that the crevice tool isinsertable into the slot.
 15. The handheld vacuum device of claim 3,wherein the hook forms a belt clip that is configured, when the handheldvacuum device is hung from a belt, to press against the belt.
 16. Thehandheld vacuum device of claim 15, wherein the hook includes a baseportion that is coupled to the housing, and includes a bent portion thatextends from the base portion and bends back towards the housing,wherein the bent portion forms a spring clip that is biased, when thebelt is positioned between the belt clip and the housing, to push thebelt against the vacuum housing.
 17. The handheld vacuum device of claim3, wherein the hook is rotatably connected to the housing such that thehook is pivotable between a folded position in which the hook is foldedagainst the housing and an unfolded position in which the hook isunfolded from the housing, wherein the handheld vacuum device ishangable via the hook when the hook is in the unfolded position.
 18. Thehandheld vacuum device of claim 3, wherein the vacuum-generating systemincludes a fan and a motor, wherein the fan is configured, whenrotating, to cause air flow that creates the vacuum pressure, andwherein the motor is configured, when activated, to cause rotation ofthe fan.
 19. A handheld vacuum device, comprising: a housing having: (i)a handle and (ii) a hook mounting region which has one or more slots anda hole, and which is configured to attach the housing to a hook whichhas a flat base portion with a hole therethrough and which has one ormore protruding portions extending from the flat base portion; avacuum-generating system disposed within the housing, thevacuum-generating system being configured to generate vacuum pressurethat creates suction for the handheld vacuum device; and a batterycoupled to a rearward end of the housing, wherein the one or more slotsof the hook mounting region are configured to receive the one or moreprotruding portions of the hook, wherein the hole of the hook mountingregion is configured to align with the hole of the flat base portion ofthe hook when the one or more slots of the hook mounting region receivesthe one or more protruding portions of the hook, and wherein the hook isattached to the housing to be disposed between the battery and thehandle and to extend laterally from the housing.
 20. The handheld vacuumdevice of claim 19, wherein the hook mounting region is disposed at arearward end of the housing.